The Hocking Hills are picture perfect after a snow fall. The ice formations formed from dripping water that freeze to the rock are quite spectacular. Plus the winter is the off season for cabin and lodging rentals. Many places have discounted rates at this time of year which means you save by coming during the colder months.

There is an annual Winter Hike every January and various winter activities are scheduled at the state parks. All the state parks are open year around until dark. Bring your camera and be prepared to get some spectacular pictures during the Hocking Hills winter season. Bundle up and enjoy a walk through the woods.

Ash Cave in the Winter

A trip to the “hills” is the perfect antidote to cabin fever. Bring your cross country skis, sleds, ice skates and ice fishing gear. Then warm up inside next to a cozy fire place.

Lake Logan has two winter sledding areas, allows ice skating and ice fishing. Lake Hope offers sledding, ice skating, ice fishing, and cross country skiing. Old Man’s Cave has a sledding trail near their family cabins. You can bring the whole family and make it an annual tradition.

The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is used for a cross country skiing during the winter. It starts behind the Rocky Boot Outlet store in Nelsonville and ends in Athens, Ohio. The length one way is 17 miles. Make sure you stop and shop at Rocky’s before you leave and have a bite to eat at their Boot Grill which offers a Bison Burger or soup of the day.

The Annual Winter Hike

The Annual Winter Hike

The Annual Winter Hike is every third Saturday in January and follows the six mile Grandma Gatewoods Trail between Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave. No reservations are required. The start time is between 9 am and 11 am.

Shuttle buses are provided to take hikers back to Old Man’s Cave. I have taken the winter hike and loved it. It is an annual event worth putting on your calendar every year. The Hocking Hills are beautiful during each and every season of the year.

Old Man’s Cave in the Winter

Hikers park and start the hike at Old Man’s Cave. From there it is a three mile hike to Cedar Falls. At that point hikers are served hot bean soup, cornbread, and hot chocolate. The bean soup is made in huge pots over an open fire. After being fed and rested a bit the trail continues for another three miles to Ash Cave. After spending time at Ash Cave hikers are taken back to the parking lot by bus